Gemstone facet image illumination

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure is directed to a gemstone including an image formed by one or more facets cut into an upper portion of the gemstone. The gemstone further includes one or more upper light injectors cut into the upper portion of the gemstone. The one or more upper light injectors are angled to direct light towards the image. The gemstone also includes one or more lower light injectors cut into a lower portion of the gemstone. The one or more lower light injectors are angled to direct light towards the image.

BACKGROUND

Designs may be placed on gemstones through etching, laser engraving, or other techniques. However, it may be difficult to see designs placed on gemstones using etching, laser engraving, or other currently available techniques because light scatters over the designs when the designs are cut into a gemstone. When the designs placed on gemstones using etching, laser engraving, or other currently available techniques are viewed from a distance, it may be difficult to see the design at all.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to a gemstone including an image formed by one or more facets cut into an upper portion of the gemstone. The gemstone further includes one or more upper light injectors cut into the upper portion of the gemstone. The one or more upper light injectors are angled to direct light towards the image. The gemstone further includes one or more lower light injectors cut into a lower portion of the gemstone. The one or more lower light injectors are angled to direct light towards the image.

Light plays a role in bringing out the image because the image is cut out of the gemstone rather than into the gemstone. The cut and proportions of the gemstone illuminate the fire within the stone to create its sparkle. The image is incorporated into the gemstone in a classy way and is best seen by movement of the light around the stone.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. Other implementations are also described and recited herein. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. These and various other features and advantages will be apparent from a reading of the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example gemstone with an image formed by one or more facets cut into an upper portion of the gemstone.

FIG. 2 shows example gemstones that each have an image formed by one or more facets cut into an upper portion of the gemstone.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an example gemstone showing lower light injectors cut into the lower portion of the gemstone.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show a side view and a front view, respectively, of an example gemstone with an image formed by one or more facets cut into an upper portion of the gemstone.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show one or more upper light injectors directing light towards an image formed by one or more facets cut into an upper portion of the gemstone and one or more lower light injectors directing light towards an image formed by one or more facets cut into an upper portion of the gemstone.

FIG. 6 shows example operations for illuminating an image on a gemstone.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example gemstone 100. The gemstone 100 may be any gemstone, including, without limitation, amethyst, garnet, blue topaz, or citrine. The gemstone 100 is divided into an upper portion 102 and a lower portion (not visible) by a girdle 104. The upper portion 102 of the gemstone 100 is the portion of the gemstone 100 above the girdle 104. The lower portion of the gemstone 100 is the portion of the gemstone 100 below the girdle 104. The upper portion 102 of the gemstone 100 includes an image 106 cut into the upper portion 102 of the gemstone 100. Though the gemstone 100 is pear shaped, the overall shape of the gemstone 100 may be different in different implementations. For example, the gemstone 100 may be, without limitation, oval shaped, marquise, or square cut.

The image 106 cut into the upper portion 102 of the gemstone 100 is formed by facets 108, 110, 112, and 114. The facets 108, 110, 112, and 114 are all planar facets. This means that each of the facets 108, 110, 112, and 114 form a plane individually. However, the facets 108, 110, 112, and 114 may be planes that are not coplanar. For example, the facets 110 and 112 may each be angled slope downward towards the edge of the gemstone 100. Having the facets 108, 110, 112, and 114 angled to slope downward towards the edge of the gemstone 100 may direct more light to the image 106 formed by the facets 108, 110, 112, and 114. In other implementations, the facets 108, 110, 112, and 114 may be coplanar.

In one implementation, the image 106 may be any linear shape. A linear shape is a shape created by facets whose edges are substantially straight lines, as opposed to curved lines. For example, the image 106 is formed by the facets 108, 110, 112, and 114. The facets 108, 110, 112, and 114 are substantially rectangular in shape, forming a cross shape as the image 106. In other implementations, other shapes may be formed by a plurality of rectangular facets to create an image 106. Further, the facets 108, 110, 112, and 114 may be other linear shapes, for example, without limitation, triangles, squares, or other polygons formed by straight lines. In some implementations, the image 106 may be formed by a single facet. The image 106 may be any shape that can be formed by a combination of linear shaped facets.

In addition to the facets 108, 110, 112, and 114 forming the image 106, the upper portion 102 of the gemstone 100 includes upper light injectors 116, 118, 120, and 122. The upper light injectors 116, 118, 120, and 122 direct light towards the image 106. The upper light injectors 116, 118, 120, and 122 are placed on the upper portion 102 of the gemstone 100 and cut at an angle that allows for light entering the upper light injectors 116, 118, 120, and 122 to be directed towards the image 106. In some implementations, light entering the upper light injectors 116, 118, 120, and 122 is refracted towards the image 106. In some implementations, there may be fewer than four upper light injectors 116, 118, 120, and 122. For example, in one implementation, the gemstone 100 has upper light injectors 116 and 122 along the vertical axis of the image 106. In another implementation, additional facets in the upper portion 102 of the gemstone 100 may function as upper light injectors. The shape of the gemstone 100 and the shape of the image 106 may affect the number and placement of the upper light injectors 116, 118, 120, and 122. For example, when the image 106 is more intricate, more upper light injectors 116, 118, 120, and 122 may provide additional illumination to the image 106.

In some implementations, other features of the gemstone 100 may provide further illumination of the image 106. The facets 108, 110, 112, and 114 that form the image 106 may be finished differently than other facets in the gemstone 100. For example, the facets 108, 110, 112, and 114 may be finished with a matte finish instead of a polished finish. The matte finish on the facets 108, 110, 112, and 114 makes the image 106 more obvious to the naked eye by reflecting light off of the facets 108, 110, 112, and 114. The matte finish may be obtained by sand blasting the facets 108, 110, 112, and 114. Further, in some implementations, the girdle 104 of the gemstone 100 has facets. The facets in the girdle 104 of the gemstone 100 also direct light towards the image 106. The remaining facets in the upper portion 102 of the gemstone 100 may also direct light towards the image 106.

FIG. 2 shows example gemstones 202, 204, and 206 that each have an image formed by one or more facets cut into an upper portion of the gemstone. A marquise gemstone 202 has an image 204 and upper light injectors 206, 208, 210, and 212. A step cut gemstone 214 has an image 216 and upper light injectors 218, 220, 222, and 224. An oval cut gemstone 226 has an image 228 and upper light injectors 230, 232, 234, and 236. The upper light injectors 206, 208, 210, and 212 are placed, shaped, and angled to direct light towards the image 204 on the marquise gemstone 202. The upper light injectors 218, 220, 222, and 224 are placed, shaped, and angled to direct light towards the image 216 on the step cut gemstone 214. The upper light injectors 230, 232, 234, and 236 are placed, shaped, and angled to direct light towards the image 228 on the oval cut gemstone 226.

The size, shape, and placement of upper light injectors varies based on gemstone shape. For example, the upper light injectors 206 and 212 are shaped very differently than the upper light injectors 218 and 224, even though the upper light injectors 206 and 212 are located on a vertical axis of the image 204 and the upper light injectors 218 and 224 are located on a vertical axis of the image 216. The upper light injectors 206 and 212 are shaped to accommodate the pointed shape of the marquise gemstone 202 while the upper light injectors 218 and 224 are shaped to accommodate the straight edges of the step cut gemstone 214.

In some implementations, each of the upper light injectors may be placed with respect to an image perimeter and an image. For example, image perimeters 242, 244, and 246 show the image perimeters for the images 204, 216, and 228, respectively. Using the marquise gemstone 202 as an example, the light injectors 206, 208, 210, and 212 are in contact with the image perimeter 242 and the image 204.

In gemstones with other shapes, the shape and placement of the upper light injectors may be different. Additionally, in some implementations, the upper light injectors share an edge with the girdle of the stone. For example, the upper light injector 218 on the step cut gemstone 214 shares an edge with the girdle of the step cut gemstone 214, meaning that the light injector 218 cover the entire upper portion of the step cut gemstone 214 from the image 216 to the girdle (not shown). In contrast, other upper light injectors may not share an edge with a girdle of the gemstone. For example, the upper light injector 212 does not share an edge with the girdle of the marquise gemstone 202. Instead, a facet 238 and a facet 240 are between the upper light injector 212 and the girdle (not shown) of the marquise gemstone 202. In some implementations, the facet 238 and the facet 240 may also act as upper light injectors. The marquise gemstone 202, the step cut gemstone 214, and the oval cut gemstone also have lower light injectors (not shown) similar to those described with respect to FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an example gemstone 300 showing lower light injectors 302 and 306 cut into the lower portion of the gemstone. The lower portion of the gemstone 300 is the portion of the gemstone 300 that is located below a girdle 304. The lower light injectors 302 and 306 direct light towards an image cut into an upper portion of the gemstone 300. The upper portion of the gemstone 300 is the portion of the gemstone 300 located above the girdle 304. The lower light injectors 302 and 306 are cut at an angle relative to the image on the upper portion of the gemstone 300 so that the lower light injectors 302 and 206 direct light towards the image.

In some implementations, the lower light injectors 302 and 306 direct light towards the image by refracting light entering the lower light injectors 302 and 306 towards the image on the upper portion of the gemstone 300. Further, the lower light injectors 302 and 306 may maximize total internal reflection of light that enters the gemstone 300 to illuminate the image on the upper portion of the gemstone 300. In some implementations, the gemstone 300 may have more than two lower light injectors 302 and 306. Addition lower light injectors 302 and 306 may be included on a larger stone or on a differently shaped stone.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show a side view and a front view, respectively, of an example gemstone 400 with an image 406 formed by one or more facets cut into an upper portion 402 of the gemstone 400. The upper portion 402 of the gemstone 400 is the portion above a girdle 404 in the gemstone 400.

In FIG. 4A, the image 406 is formed by facets 408, 410, 412, 414, and 416 (and other facets not visible in FIG. 4A). The facets 408, 410, 412, 414, and 416 are not coplanar, but are angled so that the facets slope upward towards the center of the stone. The upper portion 402 of the gemstone 400 also includes upper light injectors 418, 420, and 422, as well as an additional upper light injector (not shown). The upper light injectors 418, 420, and 422 direct light towards the image 406 formed by the facets 408, 410, 412, and 414. Additionally, lower light injectors 424 and 426 in the lower portion 428 of the gemstone 400 includes lower light injectors 424 and 426. The lower light injectors 424 and 426 direct light towards the image 406 formed by the facets 408, 410, 412, and 414.

The upper light injectors 418, 420, and 422 and the lower light injectors 424 and 426 are located on the gemstone and angled to direct light towards the image 406. In some implementations, the upper light injectors 418, 420, and 422 and the lower light injectors 424 and 426 may direct light towards the image 406 by causing light entering the gemstone 400 to be refracted towards the image 406. Depending on the cut of the gemstone 400 and the angle of the upper light injectors 418, 420, and 422 and the lower light injectors 424 and 426, the light may refract directly to one or more of the facets 408, 410, 412, and 414 forming the image 406, or the light may reflect internally in the gemstone 400. In another implementation, the upper light injectors 418, 420, and 422 and the lower light injectors 424 and 426 maximize the amount of light undergoing total internal reflection and exiting the gemstone 400 through the facets 408, 410, 412, and 414 forming the image 406. Further in some implementations, some of the upper light injectors 418, 420, and 422 may function differently. For example, the upper light injector 418 may refract light directly to the image 406, while the upper light injector 420 may refract incoming light in a manner that causes it to undergo total internal reflection before it reaches the image 406. Similarly, in some implementations, the lower light injectors 424 and 426 may function differently from one another.

The lower light injectors 424 and 426 are located substantially below the image 406, so that the center axes of the lower light injectors 424 and 426 are aligned with a vertical axis of the image 406. In some implementations, additional lower light injectors may be located on the lower portion 428 of the gemstone 400 where the center axes of the additional lower light injectors are aligned with a horizontal axis of the image 406. Further, in other implementations, the image 406 may be more complex and composed of facets at a variety of angles. For a more complex image 406, additional lower light injectors may be located on the lower portion 428 of the gemstone 400 so that a center axis of an additional lower light injector is aligned with a center axis of a facet forming the image 406.

In FIG. 4B, the image 406 is formed by the facets 408, 410, 430, 432, 434, and 436 (and other facets not visible in FIG. 4B). The upper portion 402 of the gemstone 400 also includes the upper light injector 418. The upper light injector 418 directs light towards the image 406. The gemstone 400 also includes the lower light injector 426, located in the lower portion 428 of the gemstone 400. The lower light injector 426 is located so that it is substantially below the image 406. This means that the lower light injector 426 is located along a center axis 438 of the image 406. Additional lower light injectors may be located on the lower portion 428 of the gemstone 400 aligned with other facets forming the image 406. For more complex images, many lower light injectors may be cut into the lower portion 428 of the gemstone 400.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show one or more upper light injectors 518, 522, and 522 directing light towards an image 506 formed by one or more facets cut into an upper portion 502 of a gemstone 500 and one or more lower light injectors 524 and 526 directing light towards the image 506 formed by one or more facets cut into the upper portion 502 of the gemstone 500. The upper light injectors 518, 520, and 522 are cut into the upper portion 502 of the gemstone 500. The upper portion 502 of the gemstone 500 is the portion of the gemstone 500 located above a girdle 504 of the gemstone 500. The lower light injectors 524 and 526 are cut into a lower portion 528 of the gemstone 500. The lower portion 528 of the gemstone 500 is the portion of the gemstone 500 located below the girdle 504.

FIG. 5A shows two light paths 538 and 540 showing how light is directed by the upper light injectors 522 and 518 to the image 506. The image 506 is formed by facets 508, 510, 512, 514, and 516. The upper light injectors 522 and 518 are angled and located to direct light towards the image 506. Additional upper light injectors (i.e., upper light injector 520) may also direct light towards the image 506. In some implementations, the upper light injectors 518, 520, and 522 may direct light towards the image 506 by refracting light that enters the upper light injectors 518, 520, and 522 towards one of the facets 508, 510, 512, 514, and 516 that form the image 506. For example, the light path 538 shows that, in this implementation, light entering the upper light injector 522 is refracted towards the facet 512. This causes the facet 512, which is part of the image 506, to appear illuminated. Likewise, the light path 540 shows that, in this implementation, light entering the upper light injector 518 is refracted towards the facet 512.

In other implementations, the upper light injector 518 or the upper light injector 522 may be angled to refract light towards the other facets 508, 510, 514, or 516 that form the image 506. Additional upper light injectors (i.e., the upper light injector 520) may also refract light towards the other facets 508, 510, 514, or 516 that form the image 506. In some implementations, the light entering the upper light injectors 522 and 518 may reflect off of other facets in the gemstone 500 before hitting one of the facets 508, 510, 512, 514, 516 that form the image 506. In other implementations, the upper light injectors 522 and 518 may be angled and placed to maximize the amount of light that undergoes total internal reflection within the gemstone 500.

FIG. 5B shows two light paths 542 and 540 showing how light is directed by the lower light injectors 524 and 526 to the image 506. The image 506 is formed by facets 508, 510, 512, 514, and 516. The lower light injectors 524 and 526 are angled and located to direct light towards the image 506. Additional lower light injectors may also direct light towards the image 506. In some implementations, the lower light injectors 524 and 526 may direct light towards the image 506 by refracting light that enters the lower light injectors 524 and 526 towards one of the facets 508, 510, 512, 514, and 516 that form the image 506. For example, the light path 542 shows that, in this implementation, light entering the lower light injector 524 is refracted towards the facet 512. This causes the facet 512, which is part of the image 506, to appear illuminated. Likewise, the light path 544 shows that, in this implementation, light entering the lower light injector 526 is refracted towards the facet 512.

In other implementations, the lower light injector 524 or the light injector 526 may be angled to refract light towards the other facets 508, 510, 514, or 516 that form the image 506. Additional lower light injectors may also refract light towards the other facets 508, 510, 514, or 516 that form the image 506. In some implementations, the light entering the lower light injectors 524 and 526 may reflect off of other facets in the gemstone 500 before hitting one of the facets 508, 510, 512, 514, 516 that form the image 506. In other implementations, the lower light injectors 524 and 526 may be angled and placed to maximize the amount of light that undergoes total internal reflection within the gemstone 500.

Additionally, in some implementations, other features of the gemstone 500 may direct light towards the image 506 or otherwise make the image 506 appear illuminated. For example, in some implementations, the girdle 504 has facets. Facets in the girdle 504 may direct light towards the image 506 either by acting as light injectors, or by allowing light to reflect off of the facets internally. Further, in some implementations, the facets 508, 510, 512, 514, and 516 that form the image 506 may be finished differently than the other facets on the gemstone 500. For example, in one implementation, the facets 508, 510, 512, 514, and 516 each have a matte finish. The matte finish allows some light to reflect off of the image 506, making the image 506 appear illuminated.

FIG. 6 shows example operations 600 for illuminating an image on a gemstone. A presenting operation 602 presents an image formed by one or more facets cut into an upper portion of a gemstone. Any number of facets may be cut into the upper portion of the gemstone to form an image. The facets forming the image are all planar facets. In some implementations, the facets forming the image may be angled to direct light towards the image. Further, in some implementations, that the image is a linear shape. A linear shape in a shape created by facets whose edges are substantially straight lines. For example, an image may be created by facets that are all rectangular in shape. The facets may be any other linear shape. For example, without limitation, the facets may be triangles, squares, or other polygons formed by straight lines.

In some implementations, the image formed by the one or more facets cut into the upper portion of the gemstone may have a different surface finish than the rest of the gemstone. For example, the facets forming the image on the upper portion of the gemstone may have a matte finish, while the rest of the gemstone may have a polished finish. The matte finish may be obtained, for example, by sandblasting the facets forming the image. The matte finish may make the image formed by the facets more visible to the naked eye.

A first directing operation 604 directs light towards the image using one or more upper light injectors cut into the upper portion of the gemstone and angled to direct light towards the image. The upper light injectors are placed on the upper portion of the gemstone and cut at an angle that allows for light entering the upper light injectors to be directed towards the image. The light injectors may be located at any location on the upper portion of the gemstone where the upper light injectors direct light towards the image. For example, in one implementation, the image is a cross shape. Upper light injectors may be located along a vertical axis of the cross as well as along a horizontal axis of the cross. In other implementations, the image may be more complex and more upper light injectors may be placed on the upper portion of the gemstone.

In some implementations, the upper light injectors direct light towards the image by refracting light entering the upper light injectors towards one or more of the facets forming the image. Depending on the cut of the gemstone and the angle of the light injectors, the light may refract directly to one or more of the facets forming the image, or it may reflect internally in the gemstone. In another implementation, the upper light injectors maximize the amount of light undergoing total internal reflection and exiting the gemstone through the facets forming the image.

A second directing operation 606 directs light towards the image using one or more lower light injectors cut into a lower portion of the gemstone and angled to direct light towards the image. The lower light injectors are placed on the lower portion of the gemstone and cut at an angle that allows for light entering the lower light injectors to be directed towards the image. The light injectors may be located at any location on the lower portion of the gemstone where the lower light injectors direct light towards the image. For example, in one implementation, the image is a cross shape. Lower light injectors may be located parallel to a vertical axis of the cross as well as parallel to a horizontal axis of the cross. In other implementations, the image may be more complex and additional lower light injectors may be placed on the lower portion of the gemstone.

In some implementations, the lower light injectors direct light towards the image by refracting light entering the lower light injectors towards one or more of the facets forming the image. Depending on the cut of the stone and the angle of the light injectors, the light may refract directly to one or more of the facets forming the image, or it may reflect internally in the gemstone. In another implementation, the lower light injectors maximize the amount of light undergoing total internal reflection and exiting the gemstone through the facets forming the image.

The above specification, examples, and data provide a complete description of the structure and use of exemplary embodiments of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended. Furthermore, structural features of the different embodiments may be combined in yet another embodiment without departing from the recited claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A gemstone comprising: an image formed by one or more facets cut into an upper portion of the gemstone; one or more upper light injectors cut into the upper portion of the gemstone, the one or more upper light injectors being angled to direct light towards the image; and one or more lower light injectors cut into a lower portion of the gemstone, the one or more lower light injectors being angled to direct light towards the image.
 2. The gemstone of claim 1, wherein the surface of the image is finished using a matte finish.
 3. The gemstone of claim 1, wherein the image is formed by one or more linear facets cut into the upper portion of the gemstone.
 4. The gemstone of claim 1, wherein the one or more upper light injectors are angled to refract light towards the image.
 5. The gemstone of claim 1, wherein the one or more lower light injectors are angled to refract light towards the image.
 6. The gemstone of claim 1, wherein the one or more lower light injectors are placed along a center axis of the image on the upper portion of the gemstone.
 7. The gemstone of claim 1, wherein the one or more upper light injectors are placed so that the one or more upper light injectors are in contact with an image perimeter and the image.
 8. The gemstone of claim 1, wherein the one or more facets cut into the upper portion of the gemstone forming the image are planar.
 9. The gemstone of claim 1, wherein the one or more facets cut into the upper portion of the gemstone forming the image are angled to direct light towards the image.
 10. A method of illuminating an image on a gemstone, the method comprising: presenting an image formed by one or more facets cut into an upper portion of the gemstone; directing light towards the image using one or more light injectors cut into the upper portion of the gemstone and angled to direct light towards the image; and directing light towards the image using one or more lower light injectors cut into a lower portion of the gemstone and angled to direct light towards the image.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the surface of the image is finished using a matte finish.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein the image is formed by one or more linear facets cut into the upper portion of the gemstone.
 13. The method of claim 10, wherein the one or more upper light injectors are angled to refract light towards the image.
 14. The method of claim 10, wherein the one or more lower light injectors are angled to refract light towards the image.
 15. The method of claim 10, wherein the one or more lower light injectors are placed along a center axis of the image on the upper portion of the gemstone.
 16. The method of claim 10, wherein the one or more upper light injectors are placed so that the one or more upper light injectors are in contact with an image perimeter and the image.
 17. The method of claim 10, wherein the one or more facets cut into the upper portion of the gemstone forming the image are planar.
 18. The method of claim 10, wherein the one or more facets cut into the upper portion of the gemstone forming the image are angled to direct light towards the image
 19. A gemstone comprising: an image formed by one or more facets cut into an upper portion of the gemstone, the one or more facets forming the image being finished using a matte finish; two or more upper light injectors cut into the upper portion of the gemstone, the two or more upper light injectors being angled to direct light towards the image and placed so that the two or more upper light injectors are in contact with an image perimeter and the image; two or more lower light injectors cut into a lower portion of the gemstone, the two or more lower light injectors being angled to direct light towards the image and placed along a center axis of the image on the upper portion of the gemstone.
 20. The gemstone of claim 19, further comprising: a girdle separating the upper portion of the gemstone and the lower portion of the gemstone, the girdle including girdle facets being angled to direct light towards the image on the upper portion of the gemstone. 